Queerventures with Kendal Mountain Events

Kendal Mountain Festival is one of the UK’s longest running Adventure Film Festivals. Their programming goes far beyond the stereotypical adventurer, reaching out to individuals whose narratives are often overlooked. As part of this they have proudly curated a film programme of Queer-led films to stand in solidarity with the local LGBTQIA+ community and ensure that everyone sees themselves represented in the adventure world.

The event will be hosted by one of the Kendal Mountain team, Emily Lyons who will guide you through films that will transport you all over the world and showcase a multitude of folk from the community, from those getting outdoors everyday and people at the top of their game.

Tickets are on a pay what you can sliding scale of FREE, £2, £4, £6, £8, or £10. To book, click here or call the CCA Box Office on 0141 352 4900.

I am a Fellrunner (2020, Dirs. Jessie Leong & Julie Carter): Fell running is more than a sport – it is part of an identity. Through the evocation of a poem, ‘I am a Fellrunner,’ explores the way in which one woman is defined as a fellrunner in the place where she belongs.

Fragments Choisis (2022, Dir. Alicia Cenci): In the mountains, she is Elisabeth the skier, in the streets, she is Elisabeth the activist. She lives her two lives very separately and makes sure those two sides do not interfere with each other.
Until the day she becomes world freeride champion. The activist then meets the sportswoman when Elisabeth decides to use her title and the attention around it to come out publicly.

Eden (2021, Dir. Charlie Bush): Eden Elgeti was part way through her male to female transition when she realised she wanted biological children in the future. Told she was now unable to produce fertile sperm after the hormone treatments, a medical practitioner suggested there was a very small chance cold water might help reverse the effects and so she started extreme cold water swimming.

Venture Out (2020, Dirs. Jamie DiNicola, Matthew Mikkelsen & Palmer Morse): Venture Out is a story of overcoming odds, the power of resilience, and ultimately, the ever-lasting effects of LGBTQ community building. The Venture Out Project, founded by Perry Cohen, is a non profit organisation that brings LGBTQ folks together outdoors on wilderness trips. In sharing Perry’s story, and hearing from the other TVOP participants, we get a glimpse into the healing qualities of nature and life-saving community bonds that are being forged as a result of Perry’s work.

Ascension (2023, Dirs. Emma Crome & Matt Pycroft): Elite climber Alex Johnson has attempted to climb the iconic boulder The Swarm, California, for a decade. Not succeeding breaks her down into self-reflection where she finally accepts her sexuality.

Big Things to Come (2022): One of Europe’s leading adventure photographers, Hamish Frost lives twin lives. In Ascension, we explore the side of himself he has kept hidden from the outdoor community. A story of confidence and connection and a reminder of the importance of diversity in the great outdoors.

ACCESSIBLITY 

Content Warnings:

• Discussion of mental health, fertility, suicide, depression, eating disorder, mental health, bullying, homophobia.

This screening has an age recommendation of N/C 16+.

71 minutes long.

English and French audio with English language captions. BSL-English interpretation and live captioning provided.

We have an Audience Access Fund for travel. If you would like to take this up, please visit the access desk at the entrance of the CCA, or contact [email protected].

You can find out more information about accessibility at SQIFF 2023 here. If you have any questions about accessibility at SQIFF 2023, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or by phone on 07873 331 036.

We ask that you wear a mask if possible and please don’t attend the screening if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in recent contact with a confirmed case. FFP2 masks will be available for free around the building.

Image: from Eden (2021, Dir. Charlie Bush)